First of all, while it’s great to build a following on a local level, ultimately, you’re going to need to figure out how to build your global audience too. A website will help you do that.

Second of all, social media is too transient to be dependable. The terms and conditions on these sites could change tomorrow and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Thirdly, if you have your own domain name, you can set up a unique email address associated with that domain name (i.e. mark@yourbandname.com). This helps you to appear more professional.

Fourthly, you can set up your website however you want to, make money with it however you want to, and choose what call to actions to emphasize.

Finally, the press, the media, reviewers and other industry people will take you more seriously when you have a website. I happen to think that’s pretty important.

2. Social Media is Not a Sales Engine

It’s true that you can take advantage of social media to market your content, your music, and other assets.

But this doesn’t mean that it’s a great place to sell stuff and market your wares.

Social media is primarily for conversation and community. You can use it to build new connections, meet people, and share interesting things with them.

This is more of a mindset shift than anything else. If you go to social media sites hoping to get a lot of money, you will probably be disappointed. If you go there to have a conversation, your expectations will be met and even exceeded.

I am not saying that you can’t promote product, and I’m certainly not saying that you can’t send people to your website.

But just keep your motives in check. If your purpose is to engage and connect, you’ll have a hard time not meeting your goals. That will keep you focused over the long haul too.

If your goal is to shout “Buy this!” from the rooftops, don’t be surprised when people think you’re crazy.

3. Music is Not a Resource

There is no arguing that music is a product. It can be bought and sold.

But unlike toothpaste or shampoo it doesn’t deplete over time; it can’t be purchased, used up and replaced. It’s not a consumable.

So, repeat business is usually a matter of coming out with more product, because once someone has your album, they have your album.

This is the tricky part about selling music; the value that you’re selling – in most people’s eyes – is just entertainment.

Now you and I know that music is beautiful, it unites people, it encourages and lifts up, it makes people dance, and all that wonderful stuff.

But to the average person, music is just music. They like some, and they don’t like some of the other stuff.

David Andrew Wiebe has built an extensive career in songwriting, live performance, recording, session playing, production work, investing, and music instruction. In addition to helping musicians unlock their full potential, he also continues to maintain a performance schedule with Long Jon Lev and Adrenalize. If you'd like to be notified whenever the blog is updated, click here to subscribe.